My hen attacks me...

[kcsunshine]

Quote:
Or freckles?

 

[Alley]

The attacker is a red sex link and she's laying eggs so I know she's not a roo! LOL I don't have a roo, is that maybe the problem?
She's bites my hands when I picked her up today but I grabbed her anyway and held her for a good 20 minutes. As soon as I let her down she turns and runs off but then eventually comes back and is agressive. She's the same in the coop so it's not just something she does while free ranging...

thanks for your help & Happy New Year!
Alley

 

[chookchick]

They do get hormonal when they just start laying, but that sounds extreme! Sounds like she has taken on the roo "protector" role. I am curious to hear if she keeps this up...

 

[Chic Chick]

There's no reason to put up with an aggressive chicken when there are so many docile ones out there. Maybe it's time you dispatched the devil pullet and realized that home raised chickens are great for eating?.......
Sorry I'm not sympathetic to your "because I feed it" rationalization.

 

[emys]

I have a hatchery BO that loves attacking my feet. She is the lowest ranking hen, and never tries it with my hands, just my feet. In her case I think its displaced aggression. She just needs to feel there is something she can pick on, because it sure isn't the other hens. I do correct her by picking her up and carrying her around some times - then I wonder that maybe that is not a punishment for her, but a reward??

 

[jjthink]

I have seen them where they act like teenage witches at that age and later when they are a bit older they calm down dramatically. Hope that is the case for you!
JJ

 

[Alley]

Sorry... I just can't eat her! I'll just deal with her drama and keep picking her up and petting her each time she attacks. She's fine once I pick her up!

 

[1stepcloser]

One of my red sexlink is doing the same thing to me....but she wants attention. She loves to be held, talked to, acknowledged, and thinks I am there to serve her. She is constantly pecking my calves and feet being a brat. A big, feathery, cooing-ball-of-love, brat.

 

[PortageGirl]

Man, if I made soup out of the hens that pecked at my pant legs, I wouldn't have any left! All mine do it for attention and/or for treats. As soon as I bend down and pat them, and talk to them, they go on their way. Even if they peck at you does it actually hurt? Especially in jeans! My goodness!

I'm also shocked at people being afraid of them pecking when setting on a nest. I mean, come ON!! Their beaks are a little pokey, and they can jab you pretty good, but does it really hurt that much? Sorry folks, I'm not trying to pick on anyone, but really.

It'd be different if it were a roo with spurs, then it can get quite dangerous, but even then, a it's usually manageable (not always! sometimes soup IS in order, but lets not be too quick to grab a hatchet!)

Speaking of roosters, I'll put this link here then look for a better place to post it in addition to here... http://shilala.homestead.com/roosters.html

Again, I don't mean to be mean. If this sounds overly critical I'm sorry, I've just noticed a lack of patience when animals act like animals. They act on their instincts period. We're the ones with the brains, they don't call chickens bird brains for nothing!

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

spray her hard a couple times with a hose, that'll teach her